Reflections on Dust

 

Illustration by Bing AI

I think it was on Saturday that I walked the vacuum cleaner around the flat, and at the end of our tour checked the bag inside it to see if that needed changing - and found that well, it might have been ok if the dust had been inside the bag (as it should be), but for unknown reason most of the dust this time was on the outside of and around the bag, in the compartment where that resides... Somehow the bag must have slipped out of its right position, so that the end of the hose inside had not connected with it. It's still a mystery to me how that came about. As far as I can recall, it's never happened before. Anyway, the result made me wish that I had had access to a second vacuum cleaner, to be able clean the first one... But I only have the one; which led to a rather complicated and time consuming process of cleaning the inside of the vacuum cleaner with the help of a small dustpan and brush + damp cloths and kitchen paper etc... 

When finally I had completed that tiresome process, it suddenly struck me that hmmm, doesn't this VC also have some kind of filter at the back, which I haven't checked for ages... I managed to find the manual in the drawer where I keep such instructions; and oops, yes, it said that filter should be cleaned every six months and changed every two years or so... I can't tell you how long ago it was since I last did that, as I haven't got a clue... But it was definitely long overdue! (All I can say in my defence is that I'd not been consciously neglecting it - I'd just completely forgotten its existence...) It also proved seriously hard to open the filter grille behind which the filter lives. I managed that eventually, though - and had to admit that by now, the Thing looked definitely more "dead" than "alive"... 

Would I even be able to find a replacement? I searched the manual again and found an article number. On Monday afternoon I put that into Google - and bingo! It seemed they actually had it in stock in a certain tech shop in the city centre. (A favourite of mine since it's within walking distance.) So I was able to reserve the filter online, and go and pick it up there the next morning. 

New filter in place at the back, and new dust bag in front, I took the vacuum cleaner for another walk around the flat in the afternoon. Checked afterwards, and this time the dust seemed to have gone where it should... (I'll probably be a bit obsessive about checking that after every use for a while! Whether in six months I'll remember to check and clean the filter at the back is a different story, though.)

 

On my way home from town this time I walked along/across the South Square, which is lined with old wooden buildings on three sides (the river on the fourth). Part of the square serves as transfer point for some of the local bus lines. (No longer mine, though - alas.)

My reflection in one of the windows on the ground floor of the building above; and buildings across the square also reflected in the background...
 

Illuminated Apartment Blocks

A few more photos from my walk back from the city centre on Friday afternoon. (Cf previous post.) These are all apartment blocks (fairly new condominiums) along the walkway by the river that I followed part of the way home. They look strangely different now at night because of all the added Christmas lights on the balconies and in the windows.

 

Linking to Shadow Shot Sunday

1st December - Weekend/Street Reflections

In general, I'm not a big fan of being out and about in the dark, and on slippery snowy/icy streets like we've had this week... However, yesterday I happened to have an appointment in the city centre around 3 pm; and when I got back out from there an hour later, darkness had fallen. So on my way home I took the opportunity to also admire the Christmas lights and take some photos.

 

 

This guy on the bridge had way more impressive equipment for night photography than I did (I only had my phone...)

 

 

Linking to Weekend Street Reflections

A Wintry End to November

Someone is finding perfect camouflage in the freshly fallen snow - can you see him/her?

(Yes, it's a magpie.)

It had stopped snowing this morning, but it's still cold, so the snow that's come down is staying put. I decided to take the opportunity to defrost my freezer - which is best done in cold winter weather when I can put the contents out on the balcony while it goes on.

It's still always kind of a messy job that takes its time. One difficulty is that my freezer is a "half size" one that is placed above another cupboard. So one can't just place a bowl on the floor to gather the water in, but has to find other tricks to go about it, and keep a close eye on the process to make sure the melting ice/water doesn't go where it's not wanted...

When the wet and messy part was over (and while waiting for the freezer to get cold again), I went out for a short walk taking some stuff to the recycling containers; and on my way back stopped to buy some fruit at a neighbourhood convenience shop, which specialises in fruit and vegs. I kind of rediscovered this shop back in the summer, when they had quite an "exotic" display outside. (See photo below.) And now they still have quite a lot to offer in their very cramped space inside. They're only a 5 min walk from home for me, so a good alternative when it's just some extra fruit & vegs I need between my usual home deliveries from the big supermarket.

Photo from July (display outside the shop)

 

And It Kept Snowing

It kept on snowing more or less all day today. For my own part, no need to go out... Had the laundry room (in the basement) booked anyway, so for exercise I just walked down and up the stairs a few times (only took the lift when I had a lot to carry). - Looking out my windows, I happened to catch the postwoman (I think!) on her rounds, and zoomed her in with my camera... Reminding myself of my privilege as a pensioner to more or less spend my time as I please, and not being obliged to be out and about it any kind of weather!